It seems the AI photo editing craze just got more social. Perplexity, the AI startup co-founded by Aravind Srinivas, has integrated Google’s viral Nano Banana AI photo editor into WhatsApp — meaning you can now get high-quality, stylized edits directly inside the messaging app. This move could reshape how millions of users create viral images, especially in markets like India where both WhatsApp usage and interest in AI editing are sky-high. Here’s a breakdown of what this is, why it matters, and how to use it.
What is “Nano Banana”?
“Nano Banana” refers to Google Gemini’s Nano Banana AI photo editor — a tool that has become something of a social media sensation. The editor allows users to transform ordinary photographs into stylized, creative images: vintage cinema-styled, retro portraits, bold edits like saree fashion shots, etc. The term has caught on because people are using such styles in viral content, and Google’s Gemini platform (especially with its “Flash” mode or engine) has made these kinds of edits fast and visually striking.
What Has Perplexity Done?
Perplexity’s latest move is integrating the Gemini 2.5 Flash engine into a WhatsApp bot. What this means is:
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You don’t need to open the Gemini app or Google AI Studio to use Nano Banana. The tool is now accessible via WhatsApp, through a bot.
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The WhatsApp bot is hosted by Perplexity, letting users send images + a text prompt describing what sort of edit they want. The bot processes that and returns the edited image.
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This integration makes things more seamless for millions who may already use WhatsApp frequently but haven’t used Gemini for image editing.
How to Use Nano Banana on WhatsApp
Using the feature is pretty simple. Here’s a step-by-step:
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On WhatsApp, chat with Perplexity’s bot. The contact number is +1 (833) 436-3285.
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Upload the photo you want edited.
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Send a text prompt along with it — describe the transformation you want: style, mood, aesthetic (for example, “cinematic retro portrait”, “Bollywood saree edit”, etc.).
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The AI model (Gemini / Flash engine) will apply the edit and send back the final image.
Cost, Limitations & What’s Not Yet Clear
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Free vs. Paid: Perplexity hasn’t confirmed whether the WhatsApp integration will remain free permanently. There are expectations that it may follow a model similar to Google’s — free tier + premium / paid extension for more usage.
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Quality Controls & Prompt Details: As with any AI art/editor, results depend heavily on how well the prompt is described. Vague prompts may yield less satisfying edits. There may also be delayed processing depending on load.
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Privacy & Data Usage: It’ll be important to see how image data is handled through the bot — e.g. storing images, usage rights. So far not much detail on that is public.
Why This Matters, Especially in India
A few reasons this development is especially significant for Indian users:
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India is currently the largest market for Nano Banana, with Gemini topping app charts in both Apple’s App Store and the Google Play Store.
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WhatsApp is already deeply embedded in daily communication across India. Adding a powerful and viral photo-editing tool directly inside WhatsApp lowers friction: people don’t need to install extra apps or switch contexts.
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This may further fuel creative expression (fashion, culture, personal brand, social media content) through viral edits (like saree edits, retro look, etc.).
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It could also increase competition among AI image editors — pushing quality up, lowering cost.
Bigger Picture: What This Suggests About AI & Messaging
This integration is part of a growing trend: bringing AI-powered creative tools into the platforms people already use rather than expecting them to move to separate apps. Messenger bots, WhatsApp bots, in-app AI features — they all reduce user friction, which tends to boost adoption.
It also reflects how powerful “style trends” are in AI visuals: once a look (say, a retro film look or fashion edit) becomes popular, demand explodes, and developers respond quickly. The social virality of edits is now a factor in how AI tools are developed and distributed.
What to Watch Out For
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How accurate and high-quality the edits are in practice (especially for diverse subjects, lighting, etc.).
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Whether there are constraints on size, resolution, or types of images.
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How cost scales for heavy users or commercial creators.
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What policies are in place for copyright / ownership of edited images.
Conclusion
Perplexity’s move to bring Google’s Nano Banana AI editor into WhatsApp is a clever and timely one. It’s about making photo-editing powerful, creative and viral tools more accessible. For users who love sharing stylized images — whether for social media, personal use, or creative expression — this means fewer steps, more immediacy. If you love the Nano Banana aesthetic, now you can get it inside one of your most used apps already: WhatsApp.
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